Jim Brown returns to Cleveland Browns as special advisor

By MARK PODOLSKI

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

CLEVELAND -- The Browns on Wednesday officially welcomed back arguably its greatest player after an ugly breakup in 2010.

Months after Mike Holmgren took over as team president in 2010, Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown was stripped of his executive adviser title and offered a lesser role with the franchise. Brown declined, went away quietly, but later was critical of the way Holmgren handled the situation.

With Holmgren and former owner Randy Lerner gone, current owner Jimmy Haslam reached out to Brown last October in an effort to welcome back Brown, whose title will be special adviser. After their initial meeting, Haslam and Brown continued discussion until a deal was in place. It became official on Wednesday.

"I wouldn't be sitting here if there wasn't a great relationship between us," said Brown of Haslam. "Jimmy doesn't bite his tongue. I kind of like that. I try not to bite my tongue, as most of you know. But I think under Jimmy, I'll be a little more under control."

Brown, 77, said he plans to spend "a lot of time" with the Browns and wants to meet Coach Rob Chudzinski soon.

"You will see as much of me as they can stand," Brown said. "I will be on call to the Cleveland Browns."

Also big on Brown's plan is continuing his work in Cleveland with Amer-I-Can, a program he founded in 1988 that reaches out to inner city youths and stresses life management skills.

"He will be active in the community because that's where Jim's heart is, and he'll be active with our fan base," Haslam said.

As for his messy breakup with the only NFL team he played for, Brown said it was difficult time. So much so that when he was inducted into the Browns' Ring of Honor in September 2010, Brown boycotted the team's ceremony.

"It was not a good feeling because I'm used to being around," Brown said. "I have no animosity about that because this is a tough game. The main thing is I'm happy to be invited back."

Brown used the word "respect" a lot during a news conference at FirstEnergy Stadium, inferring that was lacking during his dealings with the Browns' previous regime.

"Respect across the board is very important to human beings, and I think the Haslams have given (Brown's wife) Monique and I the ultimate respect," said Brown, the team's all-time leading rusher with 12,312 yards and 126 total touchdowns.

Other topics Brown addressed on Wednesday:

o On the ongoing FBI investigation into Haslam's company, Pilot Flying J: "I had an opportunity to talk to a Tennessee newspaper and they asked me about Jimmy, and I said, 'That's my guy. I believe in him, and I stand behind him.' "

o On turning around the Browns: "You can't have success if your owner is never around or doesn't have input. I think it takes an organization from top to bottom to be successful. And I think the team that's been put together here was put together with that in mind."

o On Trent Richardson, whom Brown was critical of before the 2012 NFL draft: "I like his quickness and cutting ability. (I like) his power and his attitude. He has a great runner's attitude. With the right coaching and support and the attitude he should possess, he should be a real great one for us."

o On spending time with current Browns players: "That's the secret, relationships. It's going to be tremendous to address these players."

o On his outspoken nature: "I spoke about discrimination. I hate discrimination. I respect the rights of everybody, and it's not about me. It's about the things within our nation that has to be corrected.

"The controversy usually comes from saying things that are true, but the system isn't ready for it. So then you have a problem because you lose popularity, but with the real people, you gain respect."